Means for lifting liquids



A. BOYNTON MEANS FOR LIFTING LIQUIDS Filed May 3 1934- June 2, 1936.,

3 Sheets-Sheet l Fig., 6

LEX/INDE@ BUYNTo/v,

a 39BY 3f 24a M/ 24h INVENTOR,

ATTORNEYS.

June Z9 19367 l A, BQYNTON MEANS FOR LIFTING LIQUIDs Filed May s, 1934 s sheets-sheet 2 lll/lll (5) [III Fig. I4

Fig. I6' ALEXANDER B0 YNTN,

ig.7 l5

INVENToR,

June 2, 1936. A BQYNTQN 2,042,583

MEANS FOR LIFTING LIQUIDS Patented June 2, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS FOR LIFTING LIQUIDS Alexander Boynton, San Antonio, Tex.

Application May 3, 1934, Serial No. 723,665

11 Claims.

My invention relates to a means for lifting liquids from wells and propelling liquids through pipe lines by the propulsive force of compressed air or gas expanding under or behind a slug of liquid intermittently admitted into the eduction tube of a well or into a pipe line.

The slug of liquid is admitted into the eduction seat, referred to as the second seat; one of the air or gas valves and the liquid intake valve loe-.- ing urged to the only position in which they are both closed by a spring which may work in conjunction with a latching means tending to hold one of the air or gasvalves and the liquid intake valve closed in the rst position, 'and the other of the air or gas valves closed while the liquid intake valve is open in the second position. 'I'he force of the air or gas is utilized to hold one of the air or gas valves seated upon the second seat while the slug of liquid to be expelled is entering the eduction tube or pipe line through the liquid intake valve. The weight or back pressure of the slug of liquid thus admitted into the eduction tube or pipe line is utilized to unseat one of the air or gas valves after it has closed upon the second seat, and to hold both of the air or gas valves open intermediate their two seats, while in that position the liquid intake valve cuts oit the admission of more liquid until the slug has been expelled; whereupon one of the air or gas valves again assumes the closed position upon the second seat with the liquid intake valve open. This cycle is automatically repeated during the period of operation. g 4

An important object of this invention is to provide means whereby slugs of different weights or lengths may be expelled from wells by means of simply varying the pressure of the air or gas used to lift the slug. By increasing the air or gas pressure the length or weight of the slug is increased or vice versa; thereby overcoming the serious difliculty of having to remove the device from the well to change the adjustment so as to cause it to expel slugs of different lengths or weights.

These objects are attained by mechanisms' illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

(CL 10S-234) Fig. 1 is a vertical section of a. well equipped with this device, using pressure tubing.

Fig. 2 is a vertical section of a portion of the device and a portion of the pressure tubing within which the device is installed. 5

Fig. 3 is a vertical section of a lower portion of the device shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a, horizontal section on the line 4 4, Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal section on the line 5 5, 10 Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a, horizontal section 'on the line 6 6, Fig. 2.

Fig. 7 is a vertical section of a modied form of the invention shownl in Fig. 2. 15

Fig. 8 is a. vertical section of another modied form of the invention shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 9 is a longitudinal section on the line 9 9, Fig. 10.

Fig. 10 is a vertical section of 'a modified form 20 of liquid intake valve shown in Fig. 2.

Fig. 11 is a horizontal sectionv on the line I I I I, Fig. 8.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of the liquid intake governor member. 25

Fig. 13 is -a horizontai section on the .line |3 |3, Fig. 1.

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section on the line |4-I4, Fig. 8.

Fig. 15 is an enlarged vertical section of the 30 liquid intake valve shown in Fig. 7 showing the valve in the open position, it being shown closed in Fig. '7. y

Fig. 16 is an enlarged vertical section of the liquid intake valve shown in Fig. 8 showing the 35 valve in the open position, it being shown closed in Fig. 8.

Fig. 17 is a vertical section'of a. well showing the device illustrated in either Figs. 2, 7, or 8 in- 'stalled with a'packer, omitting the pressure tub- 40 ing shown in Figs. 1, 2, 7, and 8.

A Fig.'V 18 is a vertical section of the seal ring retaining member shown in Fig. 42. Y, i Fig. 19 is'a vertical section of the seal ring shown' in Fig. 2. 4 Fig. 20 is a. vertical section of the bushing used to assemble the device within its housing 'which bushing also carries the 'packer in Fig. 17.

Fig. 21 is a vertical section on the line 2I 2|, 50

Fig. r17, showing the lower member of the device and the parts assembled therein. I n Fig. 22 is an enlarged vertical section Yof the spring retaining plug shown in Fig. 10.

Fig. 23 is a horizontal section through the latch 55 balls and housing members on the line 23--23, Fig. '1.

Fig. 24 is a side view of the air or gas valves, latching shaft. and liquid intake valve shown in Fig. 2.

The same numerals are employed to indicate and refer to the same parts throughout the several views in all forms of the invention.

I have shown the well as being equipped with an outer casing I having above the ground surface a casing head 4 thereon, said casing head being provided with lateral outlets, one of which is closed by the bull plug 22, the other being connected with a pipe 10 for air or gas. The upper end of the casing head is sealed about an inner pressure tube 2 by any preferred means and I have shown a radial plate 6 on the pressure tube fitting within a casing head and held in position by a cap 5 screwed over the upper end of the casing head. The engagement not only forms a seal but holds the inner pressure tube rigidly in position.

'I'he pressure tube 2 extends above the casing head and is connected by means of a coupling 1 with a T 8 having a lateral branch i3a connected to the air or gas line 23. The upper end of the T is formed to support the inner flow pipe 3, which is closed about by the cap 9, which is clamped against the packing II, thus making a seal at that point.

The pressure tube proximate its upper end has a nipple 2*. Said tube is connected at its lower end to a swaged coupling I3, which has a lower tapered seat I3 to be engaged by the lead seal I2'i on the ow tube. The lower end of'the coupling I3 is connected to a tubular housing I6 connected at its lower end to the coupling I8.

Within ther housing I6 is a valve I4 held resiliently upwardly by a spring I5 to engage normally within a seat I3b at the lower end of the swaged coupling I3. Said spring I5. rests upon an annular plate I1 in the coupling I8. Below the valve I4 the tubing may be extended downwardly as far asis desired and I have shown the same as connected through a nipple 2l to afperforated pipe I9 having openings I9 therein and closed at its lower end by a cap 20.

The tubing may be extended to rest on bottom ot the well as shown in Fig. 1, or it may be allowed to hang from the casing head with its lower end anywhere above the bottom of the well.

While the pressure tubing is being lowered into the well, seal valve I4 contacts seat I3"` upon which it is held by the i'orce of seal valve spring I5 which spring is held in position within hous-V ing nipple I0 by plate I1 threadedly secured within coupling I8. Wln ther flow tubing is lowered into position shown in Fig. 1, the slotted extension I2 forces the seal valve down to the position sh'own in Fig. 1 whereupon well liquid can enter thedevice via slots I2d',/ the well liquid en.- tering the pressure tubing extension through ports I9* of intake nipple I9, passing through seal valve spring I5,'and bypassing the seal valve I4 between uns I4'. A cap 20 may support all or part, preferably part, of the tubing weight upon the bottom oi' the well or nipple 2l and all lower parts of the pressure tubing extension may be omitted, in which case the well liquid will, of course. enter the pressure tubing extension through the lower end of coupling I8.

The device shown in Fig. 2 being installed as showninFig. 1, compressedairorgasissupplied into the pressure tubing from pipe line 23 (if the well does not produce enough gas to ilow it). This air or gas in the pressure tubing can enter the ow tubing 4only through ports 24e of the air or gas intake connection member 24 via passage 24, chamber 24e, around air or gas 5 valves 25 and 26, through upper slots 211, and upward into flow tubing 3 via the cored passages 24t through the air or gas intake connection member 24.

Air and gas valves 25 and 25 are interposed in 10 the path of the air or gas owfrom the pressure tubing into the ilow tubing. The valve shank 25% is threadedly connected to latching shaft 29 formed at its lower end into the liquid intake valve 29a. The valve 25 is normally held upon l5 its Seat 24d by the force of 'air or gas valve spring 28 contacting with an upper spring shoe 30 at its upper end and contacting with a lower spring shoe 3l at its lower end. A felt washer 32 is interposed between the spring shoe 3| and the ball roof 33, both latter members being of circular wedge shape, as shown, to force the felt washer into engagement with the latching shaft 29 and the spring housing nipple 21 in order to keep sand or other solid substances in the well 25 liquid from fouling the latch balls 34. Said balls rest upon the ball iloor 35 threadedly positioned in nipple 21, and locked in position by plug 36, both ball roof and ball floor being beveled as shown to urge the latch balls into engagement 30 with the latching shaft.

Lower slots 21b in the housing nipple 21 are to allow free circulation of liquid lthrough and around the spring 28 to prevent solids fromwsettling and interfering with the latching assembly. 35

Liquid intake valve 29 fits within a central bore through valve sleeve plug 31 and seal ring retaining member 38. Seal ring 39 is clamped in place by said retaining member and may be of oil prooted rubber or any other durable resilient 40 material shown somewhat enlarged in Fig. 19. It is housed as shown and held in leak proof engagement with the valve 29 by the pressure of well liquid acting upon its outer cupped surface, finding access thereto through vertical passages 45 38l and recess 38". A locking'r'ing 40 and packing 4I secure the valve sleeve plug 31 in position and prevent the leakage of well liquid along the threads around these members.

The valve seat member 42 foi' the valve 25 is 50 pressed in against the shoulder 24e and securely locked in place by the nipple 21. The case nipple 43 is threadedly connected at its upper end to the air or gas intake connection member 24 and at its lower end it is threadedly connected 55 tothe lead seal carrier nipple I2.

Inside of the nipple I2 previously noted, is secured a check valve housing 44 within which is a check valve 45 seated upon a yieldable member 45 resiliently held against the base of the 60 check valve housing 44 by check valve spring 41, the lower end of which rests upon the check valve seat member 48 the base 'of which-is threadedly connected .into nipple I2 and holds the liquid intake governorV 49 locked in position upon 65- shoulder I2".

A latching means similar to the one shown in Figs. 2. "l, and 8, but not identical therewith, is shown in my copending patent applications Berial 'Numbers 638.858; 037,710; 638,859; -and 70 646,389; the first three of which have now eventuated into Patents 1,963,633, 2,010,135, and 2,006,909, respectively.

yWhile thewellisstanding,thatiswithm1t sumcient air or gas pressure in the pressure tubing 75 to unseat valve 25, the vvalve will-remainA closed upon seat 24d and the liquid intake valve will remain closed as shown in Fig. 2. When air or gas of suicient value tooperate the device is' placed within the pressure tubing, valve 25 is forced from its seat and valve 26 seats with a slam on scat 42a. This movement lowers the liquid intake valve 29a to a point where the upper end of the enlarged portionk is slightly below the port in which it fits in the closed position shown in Fig. 2. This valve in the open position is shown in Figs. 15 and 16 in which figures the valves are identical with this valve except for the lower ends thereof. Well liquid now enters the flow tubing 3. through the case nipple 43 and the cored passages 24f. When enough well liquid has entered the ow tubing to exert suflicient back pressure on the lower end of the valve 26 it unseats and recedes to a position where valves 25 and 26 are intermediate their respective seats. It stays in this position until the slug of liquid is expelled from the flow tubing. After the valve 26 has been unseated by pressure of well liquid both valves will remain intermediate their respective seats until the slug is expelled, because valve 26 can not again seat until the pressure that unseated it is reduced. 'I'his cannot-happen while thc slug remains in the flow tubing. Neither can the valve 25 seat during the same time because the back pressure from the slug plus the force of spring 28 is less than the air or gas pressure under valve 25. 'I'his is true because the back pressure from the slug plus the spring force were'approximately equal when valve 26 rst unseated, but when this valve recedes, spring 28 loses some of its force through expansion resulting in an out-of-balance relation between the forces tending to seat each valve. neither force being suiiicient to seat either valve.

When the slug is expelled from the flow tubing valve 26 again seats and another slug of well liquid enters the ow tubing and is expelled in the same manner, and so the cycle is automatically repeated. If the well liquid should be inadequate to produce the slugs often enough to cause the device to operate at maximum speed,` the valve 26 will remain seated in the meantime; thus allowing no air or gas to escape or waste, and wait, so to speak, on the wellto produce the slug. 'Ihe surface of the well liquid shown at b-b, Fig. 1, must be high enough to force the slug into the blow tubing before the device can operate. If the well liquid rises above that level the operation is quickened.

The latch causes the valve action to be snappy in both directions, or in one direction only, or the latching means may be Wholly omitted. To cause the valve to move downward with asnap shoulder 29h, Fig. 24, is caused to engage the latch balls 34 as shown. This action conserves air or ,gas in starting the flowing operation. To cause the valves to move upwardly with a snap the latch balls are engaged with shoulder 29c in the lowermost position of the valves. This action hastens the closing of the liquid intake valve.

The difference between the weight of the slug valves. The weight of the slug may, therefore, ybe increased by increasing the .air or gas ypresvsure and vice versa. The higher the air or gas pressure the less will be" the'ratiobetwe'en the weight of the slug and the value of the air or gas pressure and Vice versa.

The purpose of the check valve 45, see Fig. 3, is to prevent air or gas pressure from the pressure tubing from contacting the producing hori-v zons of the well when the liquid intake valve is open. The check valve is held resiliently over its lower seat in member 48 in order that the liquid intake valve in its` downward stroke may not be resisted by the well liquid. The travel of the check valve between its two seats is such as will allow for the displacement of' the liquid intake valve in its downward stroke.

The liquid intake governor 49, an enlarged View being shown in Fig. l2, admits the well liquid through the arcuate slots 49a, formed between ribs 49h, in such restricted quantity that will not allow the sand or other abrasive substances often vfound in well liquids to unduly cut the liquid intake valve and other parts exposed to the well liquid.

The Fig. 7 embodiment differs from that shown in Fig. 2in the means for lubricating the latching device, also it has a somewhat different air or gas valve, and a modied form of liquid intake valve. In Fig. 7 (and Fig. 8) the case nipples 43 and 43 form the upper and lower connecting means respectively between flow tubing 3 and lead seal carrier nipple I2, respectively, as does the case nipple 43 in Fig. 2. The reducing nipple 56 is used as a tting to threadedly connect the flow tubing to the nipple 43. Air or gas intake connection member 24' is threadedly connected-between case nipples 43' and 43", the lower end of nipple 43" being threadedly connected to the lead seal carrier nipple I2. The cored passages 24d through the connection member 24' correspond to the similar passages 24f in Fig. 2. An upward extension 24"a on the member is externally threaded toreceive the lower end of a nipple 5l closed at its upper end by plug 52.

A further upward extension 24c on the connecting member is of reduced diameter and is externally threaded to receive the lower end of tube 53 the top end of which is open and stops somewhat short of contacting plug 52. Upon the upper end of this extension 24c a ball floor 35 rests with latch balls 34 held between this member and the ball roof member 33 by a spring 28. Upon the top of said spring a spring shoe 39 ts, and contacts latch adjusting nut 54 which is locked in position by lock nut 55. More or less compression is thus had on spring 28 to adjust the latch by means of these nuts.

Tube 53 is filled with oil or other lubricant. On the down stroke of the valves the lubricating liquid is forced into the opening in the. top end of the tube 53 above the nut 55. It will be noted that ample clearance is provided between said parts and the wall of the tube 53 to allow free passage of the lubricant. On the upstroke ofthe valves the lubricating liquid takes theY re:- verse path to the one just described.

vThe lower end of the latching chamber is sealed by a plug 56 belov.7 which is a felt or other similar type washer 51 held in the position shown latching assembly and is securely contained fully isolated from,r impurities ofthe well liquid; thus tofprovide eicient-and long-.lasting lubrication for the' latch assembly.I The same mea-ns -of lubrication may, ofcourse, be used for the spring 75 if they latch be omitted. Ports 24'b allow for air or gas communication into the upper end of d tube 53 thereby to provide that the displacement shown but does not seat upon the lower exten-- sion of member 24' as in Fig. 2. Valve 62 seatsr in its second position upon seat 64a of air or gas valve seat sleeve 65 secured to and depending downwardly from the member 24'. The air or gas valves function in the same manner as was described for the similar valves 25 and 26 in Fig. 2.

A deflector 66 secured on valve rod 64, is*

formed with a cupped upper end the margin of which forms a valve seat on its upper side which engages valve |55b to supplement the sleeve valve 6| in securing a tight seal off inthe first or upper position. Deilector 66 serves the further purpose of defiecting the air or gas upwardly during the iiowing operation. y

The liquid intake valve on rod 64 fits in a central passage through the valve sleeve plug 61, the sleeve being locked in position by locking ring 40 with packing 4| interposed as in Fig. 2. The open position of this valve is shown in Fig. l5. The liquid intake valve is tted on its lower end with yieldable member 68 secured in place by screw 69, the purpose of this yieldable member being to form a seal in the passage when it is positioned as shown in Fig. '1, the seal being obtained by the pressure of well liquid forcing the yieldable member upward and outward as is obvious, thereby providing means to secure a seal off even if the metallic portion of the valve above should wear or the sleeve be cut by abrasive `substances in the well liquid.

Fig. 8 shows a further modified form of air or gas valve, diierent lubricating means for the latch, and different liquid intake valve from the corresponding parts employed in Figs. 2 and 7.

Nipple 5| in this embodiment is threadedly connected upon the upper extension 24"a oi.' member 24l similar in purpose to member 24 of Fig. 2 and member 24 of Fig. '1, the upper end of nipple 5| being closed by plug 1|. Latching shaft 12 has a shoulder 12a firmly locked against the under side of the plug 1| by means of a lock nut 13 threaded upon the upper end of the shaft 12 which projects through plug 1|. Said shaft extends downward to near the lower end oi' the. chamber in nipple 11. A nut 14 on the lower end of the shaft 12 supports a spring 28 kupon the top end of which ball :door 35" is resiliently held in contact with latch balls 34 which contact ball roof 33" held spaced from above by spacer tube 1.5 which in turn rests upon the bottom of plug 16 which closes the top end of nipple 11 which is housed within nipple 5|, the bottom end of nipple 11 being closed by plug 18 which is threadedly connected to sub 63 and locked by nut 19. Sub 63 is a valve rod threadedly con.- nected at its lower end into air or gas valves 8U and 8| interior of which the liquid intake valve shank locks .upon thelower end of sub 63' thus to form a. rigid `connection between the parts.,

.The chamber interior of nipple 11 is filled with lubricating liquid for the latching assembly in which chamber the lubricant is securely housed apart from the well liquid, there being no outward communication into this chamber except through lthe slight clearance between the upper enlarged portion of shaft 12 and the central bore through plug 16 while the liquid intake valve is closed as shown. 'Ihis being the normal position of these parts it will be noted that the lubrication chamber can be illled in the shop or factory and the lubricant will not leak out even tho the device is inverted. The reduced section oi.' shaft 12 extending upward to proximate the center of plug 16 provides that, in operation, the lubrication chamber can breathe on the down stroke of the valves, thus preventing compression inthe. chamber on the down stroke and likewise preventing pulling a partial vacuum in the lubricating chamber on the upstroke of the valves. In accomplishing this purpose clearance around sub 63' above ports 24 allows free access of air or gas to the chamber in housing 5|. Spacer tube 15 is slotted at its lower end as shown at 15 to provide for free circulation of lubricating liquid in the chamber. of this spacer tube is such as will allow for an ample reservoir for lubricant above the latch balls.

Cored passages 24"d through member 24 serve the same purpose as the similar passages this construction being to change the direction of the air or gas with a minimum loss of energy.

The liquid intake valve, which is shown closed in Fig. 8 and open in Fig. 16, has substantially the same elastic member 83 as that shown in Figs. 7 and 15 and the same screw 69 with the addition of cupped cap 84 which is slipped over the unthreaded shank of screw 69 upon which it may side as the resilient member 83 changes form slightly in its different positions. Pressure of well liquid exerted below will press upon cap 84 and cause member 83 to form a seal in the closed position even tho the passage in which it ts be somewhat worn or abraded.

Fig. 10 shows a modified form of liquid intake v valve which may be installed in either of the embodiments shown in Fig. 7 or 8 by cuttingoi the liquid intake valve at c--c in either of said figures and screwing the upper threads of valve member 85, Fig. 10, upon either of said shanks above c-c. In Fig. 10 85a is a central passage, 85h the liquid intake port, 85c the liquid discharge port, and 85d designates the central bore in the lower The length end for the spring' 85, the lower end of said valve 60 the valve shown in Fig. 10 there is a slight clear- 70 ance between the lower end' oi!v members 85 and 81 above valve 89 when the valve is seated as shown. This clearanceis for the obvious purpose of allowing valve 89 to seat around the lower extremity of the bore through which valve mem- 75 ber 85 moves.

On the down stroke of the liquid intake valve assembly, valve 89 is forced downward by the lower end of valve members 85 and 81 until port 85b is somewhat below valve sleeve plug 61 at which time well liquid enters the device through ports 85h, vertical bore 85, and discharge port 85u. This construction prevents wear of the valves by directing the path of the well liquid interior of valve member 85 instead of against the valve surfaces as in Figs. 2, 7, and 8.

To illustrate how the pressure tube may be dispensed with, Fig. 17 shows that either of the devices shown in Figs. 2, 7, or 8 may be installed with a packer or lead seal, a packer being indicated at 9|-92-93 resting upon liner 94, the installation being substantially the same as shown for another similar device disclosed in my copending applications vSerial Numbers 646,389, and 721,669, led July 9, 1932, and April 21, 1934, respectively.

In Fig. 17 the casing l takes the place of the pressure tubing in Fig. 1. The flow tubing 3, shown slightly expanded, connects with the device as in Figs. 1,' 2, 7, and 8. Reducing nipple l50, interposed as a connection member in Figs. 7 and 8, is eliminated in this form. The air or gas coming from an external source through connection 18 enters the device through ports 24a and acts in all respects the same as in the other forms ofthe invention. The upper seal between the well casing and the flow tubing is formedin'the obvious manner shown and the lower seal vbetween these members is formed by the packer.

If the well produces a large volume of Agas and it is desired to use part of the gas to flow the well and dispose of the surplus gas through a pipe line, a tubular connection may be made between one of the casing head side ports and the tubular extension 8a of the Fig. l embodiment, thus to allow the formation vgas of the Well to enter the pressure tubing 2, Figs. l, 7, and.8. The surplus gas may be conveyed through a pressure relief valve not shown, into a pipe line. The pressure relief valve is old in the art and may bc set to hold enough pressure Ain the well to accomplish the flowing purpose.

If the well produces enough gas to flow it with no appreciable surplus, both side outlets of 'the casing head and extension 8a, Fig. 1, may be plugged and formation gas admitted into the pressure tubing through perforations in the pressure tubing proximate the casing head.

The surface connections specified in the last two paragraphs are clearly illustrated in my copending applications Serial Numbers 646,389, and 721,669, filed July 9, 1932 and April 21, 1934, respectively.

Fig. 20 shows a somewhat enlarged vertical section through the bushing member 95 used to connect air or gas intake member 24 with the swaged housing and packer supporting nipple. 96. The upper internal threads connect to intake member 24. The lower internal threads connect to case nipple 43, Fig. 2, or to 43 Fig'. 7, or to 43 Fig. 8. The lower external threads connect to the upper end of the housing and packer nipple 96 as is apparent in Fig. 17. y

The lead seal carrier nipple i2 in Fig. 1 has its lower portion cut off in the Fig. 17 embodiment and the bottom member 82 of the device proper is substituted therefor as appears in Fig. 17, this part and contents being detailed in Fig. 21, the parts in this structure being practically identical with those described in connection with Fig. 3.

It is to be noted that in all of the modifications of my invention herein disclosed the air and gas valve 'is normally closed and when the liquid inlet opens the valve is moved to another closed position, so that during the inlet of the liquid to the eduction tube no air or gas from the pressure tubing can enter the eduction tube. The air or gas is only allowed to enter after a sucient head of liquid has accumulated in the eduction tube to create a back pressure against the control valve and move it to an intermediate position between the two seats of the valve.

This arrangement of the valve makes it possible to handle slugs of liquid of diierent weight without adjustment of the apparatus. It will be possible by the proper submergence of the device to arrange the apparatus to operate in the manner desired and I have shown in Fig. 1 a fluid level b-b which illustrates the usual operation of the device.

What I claim as new is: A y

1. In a fluid lift device, a pressure tube, a. downwardly tapered seat nipple at the lower end thereof, a flow tube, a valve housing therein, means on said housing having a sealing engagement in said seat, a gaseous fluid inlet passage from. said pressure tube to said housing, upper and lower valve seats in said passage, a control valve in said passage adapted to be movedbetween said seats, a stem on said valve, an extension sub on said stem, a liquid inlet to said housing, a liquid inlet valve on said sub slidably engaging in-said inlet, said control valve being movable from one valve seat to another of said seats by pressure of the gaseous lift fluid to`open said liquid inlet valve, said liquid valve being again closed, and said control valve being moved'to open position in response to pressure in said housing of the liquid being pumped.

2. In a fluid lift device, a pressure tube, a downwardly tapered seat nipple at the lower end thereof, a flow tube, a valve housing therein, means on said housing having a sealing engagement in said seat, a gaseous fluid inlet passage from said pressure tube to said housing, upper and lower valve seats in said passage, a control valve in said passage adapted to be moved between said seats, a stem on said valve, an extension sub on said stem, a liquid inlet to said housing, a liquid inlet valve on said sub slidably engaging in said inlet, means to releasably retain said control valve in either of its seats, said control valve being movable from one valve seat to another of said seats by pressure of the gaseous lift iiuid to open said liquid inlet valve, said liquid valve being again` closed, and said control valve being moved to open position in response to pressure in said housing, of the liquid being pumped.

3. The combination of a pressure tube, a ow tube therein, a valve housing on said flow tube, means sealing the lower end of said housing with said pressure tube, a gaseous fluid inlet passage 'from said pressure tube to said housing, upper and lower valve seats in said passage, a control valve in said passage adapted to be moved between said seats, a stem on said valve, an extension sub on said stem, a liquid inlet to said housing, a liquid inlet valve on said sub slidably engaging in said inlet, said control valve lbeing movable from one valve seat to another of said l again closed, and said control valve being moved to vopen position in response to pressure in said housing of the liquid being pumped.

4. The combination of a pressure tube, a ow tube therein, a valve housing on said ilow tube, means sealing the lower end of said housing with said pressure tube, a gaseous iluid inlet passage from said pressure tube to said housing, upper and lower valve seats in said passage, a control valve in said passage adapted to be'moved between said seats, a stemon said valve, an extension sub on said stem, a liquid inlet to said housing, a liquid inlet valve on said sub slidably engaging in said inlet, said control valve being movable from one valve seat to another of said seats by pressure of the gaseous lift iluid to open said liquid inlet valve, said liquid valve being again closed, and said control valve being moved to open position in response to pressure in said housing of the liquid being pumped and means to hold said control valve yieldably in its upper seat.

5. In a device of the character described, a ilow tube, an intake connection member therein having an inlet passage thereto for gaseous fluid, means to conduct gaseous iluid to said inlet passage, upper and lower valve seats in said passage, a control valve movable between said seats, a stem on said valve, means normally holding said valve resiliently in the upper of said seats, a liquid inlet to said tube, a valve controlling said inlet, means connecting said liquid inlet valve with said control valve, means to releasably latch said control valve in either of said seats, means to move said control valve from the upper seat to said lower seat, and open said liquid inlet valve operating in response to fluid pressure through said passage, said liquid inlet valve being closed and said control valve being opened in response to pressure of the liquid being pumped in said tube.

6. In a device of the character described, a ilow tube, an intake connection member therein having an inlet passage thereto for gaseous fluid, means to conduct gaseous iluid to said inlet passage, upper and lower valve seats in said passage, a control valve movable betweensaid seats,

Aa stem on said valve, means normally holding said valve resiliently in the upper of said seats, a liquid inlet to said tube, a valve controlling said inlet, means connecting said liquid inlet valve with said control valve, means to releasably latch said control valve in either of said seats, means to move said control valve from the upper seat to said lower seat and open said liquid inlet valve operating in response to iiuid pressure through said passage, said liquid inlet valve being closed and said control valve being opened in response to liquid pressure in said tube, a check valve below said liquid inlet valve,

said check valve being adapted to yield downwardly when said-liquid inlet valve is opened.

7. In a device of the character described, a flow tube for wells having an inlet passage for gaseous fluid adjacent the lower end, a liquid in- 5 let below said passage, a control valve in said inlet passage, a stem onsaid valve, a liquid inlet valve connected with said stem, a packing means in said liquid inlet engaging said inlet valve, said control valve being movable i'rom one 10 closed position to another closed position to open said liquid inlet valve, latching means to hold said control valve in either of said closed positions, and additional means normally holding said control valve resiliently in one of said closed positions, but adapted to yield to allow said control valve to move to open position in response to liquid pressure in said tube.

8 In a device of the character described, a valve rod, a control valve thereon at the upper 20 end of said rod, a liquid inlet valve at the lower end of said rod, upper and lower seats for said control valve, a liquid inlet valve sleeve, packing means in said valve sleeve, said inlet valve being slidable through said packing means, said 25 control valve being movable from one seat to the other to open said liquid inlet valve, and to an intermediate position to close said liquid inlet valve.

9. In a device of the character described, a 30 flow tube, a check valve at the lower end thereof including a valve seat, a valve support slidable over said seat, means to hold said support resiliently upwardly, a valve on said valve seat, a cage for said valve, said valve being adapted to 35 yield downwardly with said sleeve under iluid pressure to allow said valve to move to said seat.

10. In a device of the character described, a' iiow tube, a. standing valve therein including a valve seat, a sleeve surrounding said seat, and 40 slidable thereon, a valve cage above said sleeve and acting to limit the movement in one direction of said sleeve, a valve on said sleeve and movable therewith by fluid pressure against said seat. 45

11. In a device of the character described, a flow tube, a standing valve therein including a valve seat, a sleeve surrounding said seat and slidable thereon, a valve cage above said sleeve and acting to limit the movement in one direc- 50 tion of said sleeve, a valve on said sleeve and vmovable therewith by iluid pressure against said seat, and a transverse plate below said seat having one or more slotted openings to allow passage of fluid to said seat, and to limit or govern 55 the amount of iluid so admitted.

ALEXANDER BOYNTON. 

